Category:
Rock / Metal

Try if you like:
Filter, Front 242, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy

The Land Of Rape And Honey was my first exposure to Ministry and helped me into the so called industrial realm of music. "Stigmata" still ranks as one of those revolutionary times in my music appreciation. But I don't think I would ever be prepared for what Al Jourgensen and his crew of misfits would bring to the table with Psalm 69, subtitled The Way to Succeed and the Way To Suck Eggs. You need to recall that this album was the first Ministry album after Nine Inch Nails revolutionary Pretty Hate Machine so the music world was all ears for this one.

Undoubtedly there is no Ministry fan who wasn't blown away with this album.  The crew tell you all about the New World Order on "N.W.O." and swear that you need "Just One Fix", a track that is right behind "Stigmata" as my favorite Ministry track. The thrash influenced "TV II" (originally a b-side called "TV Song") shows an awesome diversity as well. The riot portrayed at the beginning of "Hero" is perfectly placed, just before they break into one of the fastest and addictive tracks on Psalm 69. 

But it was the collaboration with Gibby Haynes from Butthole Surfers on "Jesus Built My Hotrod" that brought the masses to this album. "Ding a ding dang my dangalonglinglong". Yeah, it was just a bunch of nonsense but damn is is a fun song. 

Then we get what Al probably felt was a break with the slow trotting "Scare Crow". Then they are right back at it with the epic feeling title track. And an oft forgotten track is the amazingly tight "Corrosion". Mark this on my list of favorites as well. Then we get a mess of an ending with "Grace", which goes on about doomsday, the apocalypse, the final battle etc.

So while it may have seem strange that Ministry didn't carry forward the momentum from Psalm 69 it wasn't because of the music. You can still listen to this album today and feel that it is relevant. It has dated slightly but still sounds great. It is only now that Jourgensen is starting to make music as good as this. Too bad it's too late.